SHAH ALAM: A Chinese student who suffered permanent loss of function in her left hand after allegedly being stabbed by her ex-boyfriend has urged the court to expedite his trial.
Wu Jialin, 21, is expected to testify on Oct 28 in the trial of You Wei, 22.
You was charged with causing grievous hurt to Wu by stabbing her in the neck with a knife at a private university in Bandar Sunway on July 14 last year.
Wu sustained a deep, 10cm wound to her neck that required more than 40 stitches. A nerve in her left hand was severed in the incident, resulting in permanent loss of function.
Her lawyers, Muhamad Saifullah Muhamad Azmi, M. Partiben and Chew Sin Yee, who are holding a watching brief for her, said Wu was willing to return to court whenever required to testify and ensure justice was served.
Having completed her studies, Wu is travelling from China specifically to attend the trial. Her lawyers said further postponements would mean additional expenses for international flights, accommodation and visa arrangements, as well as potential losses involving her income or employment.
"Repeated adjournments have also caused emotional distress, as Wu has to prepare to testify without certainty over when the proceedings would conclude.
"We are also concerned that continued delays could result in Wu becoming unavailable or unwilling to return to Malaysia, potentially affecting the prosecution's ability to secure her testimony.
"If Wu is unable to return from China, the prosecution could lose a key witness, potentially prejudicing its case," they said.
They said justice must take into account the interests of victims as well as the accused, and urged the court to consider whether further adjournments were justified, warning that unnecessary delays could undermine the efficient administration of justice.
You was charged at the Sessions Court on July 21 last year and pleaded not guilty. He was accused of causing grievous hurt to Wu using a dangerous weapon that could have caused her death.
The offence under Section 326 of the Penal Code carries a maximum prison term of 20 years and may also attract a fine or whipping upon conviction.
The trial is before Sessions Court judge 'Ainul Bashiirah Dona Don Biyajid.
The first prosecution witness, a student who recorded the alleged stabbing last year, is currently testifying in the trial.
You's lawyer, Revin Kumar, said the defence could not proceed without the full set of documents required under Section 51A of the Criminal Procedure Code.
"These documents consists important evidence. It is impossible for the defence to proceed if the full set are not given, I hope the prosecution will expedite this, too," he said.
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